New figures from the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) indicate a dramatic increase in child abuse since 2006.
The number of complaints of mistreatment registered by the ICBF has risen from around 55,000 in 2006 to around 105,000 in 2011.
Within that figure, 11,000 children have allegedly suffered sexual abuse – a 100% rise in the same time period. The abuse includes child prostitution, pornography, and sex tourism involving minors.
Around 40,000 have suffered other forms of psychological and physical abuse this year. Around 45,000 have gone missing, been exploited for labor, or ended up begging, and around 1,400 have been displaced because of armed conflict.
